Holster for a handgun

ABSTRACT

A holster for a handgun, said holster comprising a holster body comprising a holster cavity configured for securely accommodating and partially embracing portions of a handgun, and an active retention mechanism comprising an arresting latch configured with an arresting portion normally disposed at a retaining position, and an externally disposed release-lever articulated with the arresting latch and configured for deforming the arresting latch between the retaining position wherein it projects laterally inwards from an inside surface of the holster cavity, and a released position wherein the arresting latch is retracted.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The presently disclosed subject matter is concerned with a holster for handguns. More particularly, the disclosure is concerned with a holster configured with an active retention mechanism.

The term ‘active retention mechanism’ denotes a mechanism articulated with the holster and disposed normally at a retained/locked state, whereby drawing a handgun from the holster is facilitated only upon displacing the mechanism into its unlocked position.

BACKGROUND

Holsters for carrying handguns are well known in the art and are generally designated for comfortable carrying of a handgun by a user, while protecting the handgun and holding it securely. Holsters should provide quick and easy drawing of the handgun therefrom on one hand, while assuring that when not in use, the handgun will remain safely in the holster, on the other hand.

Holsters can be worn by the user in many positions and configurations, for example over a top rim of an individual's trousers, waist belt, a combat vest, etc.

One example of a holster for carrying a handgun can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 8,235,263, which discloses a holster for a handgun, comprising a holster body defining a cavity for receiving and holding a handgun; a retention guard pivotably coupled to the body, wherein the retention guard is pivotable between a closed position for securing a handgun within the cavity and an open position for removal of the handgun; and a guard release lever for releasably securing the retention guard in the closed position, wherein the guard release lever is biased to a guard retention position, but wherein the guard release lever is capable of being pivoted to a guard release position when a user's thumb/finger applies a pivoting force to the thumb/finger engagement portion such that the guard locking portion is sufficiently withdrawn from the guard locking means to allow the retention guard to pivot to the open position.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,841,497 also discloses a holster for a handgun. The holster having an axis that separates a frame/slide portion of the holster from a trigger guard portion of the holster and a lever having a finger button end and an engagement end, wherein the engagement end of the lever includes a locking portion protruding from a second side of the engagement end, wherein the lever is pivotally attached to a side wall of the holster, along the axis, approximately between the finger button end and the engagement end, such that the finger button end extends into the frame/slide portion of the holster and the engagement end extends into the trigger guard portion of the holster, wherein the lever is pivotable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and wherein, when the lever is in the engaged position, the locking portion protrudes into a holster cavity, via an opening in the side wall.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

According to the disclosed subject matter there is provided a holster for a handgun, said holster comprising a holster body configured with a holster cavity configured for securely accommodating and partially embracing portions of a handgun, and an active retention mechanism comprising an arresting latch configured with an arresting portion normally disposed at a retaining position, and an externally disposed release-lever articulated with the arresting latch and configured for displacing the arresting latch between the retaining position wherein it projects laterally inwards from an inside surface of the holster cavity, and a released position wherein the arresting latch is retracted.

The holster further comprises a mounting unit for mounting the holster at any one or more of mounting positions and configurations, e.g. hip mounting the holster over a top rim of an individual's trousers, skirt and the like, over a belt, a combat vest, or attaching to an ankle of the individual, etc., at a concealed or noticeable fashion.

According to one example of the disclosure, the arresting latch is integral with the release lever, and according to another example of the disclosure the arresting latch is part of the holster body and is articulated with the release lever and configured for displacement by deformation by the release lever.

Any one or more of the following properties, designs, features and configurations can be associated with the holster subject of the presently disclosed subject matter, separately or in combinations:

-   -   The holster body is made of a substantially rigid and         non-pliable material, or at least the active retention mechanism         is configured at a retaining portion of the holster being         substantially rigid and non-pliable;     -   The arresting latch can be integral with the holster body;     -   The holster body can be made of a plastic molded material;     -   The cavity of the holster body can be configured with at least         inner shape portions complimentary to the configuration of outer         sections of the handgun to be placed in the holster. Typically         the holster cavity embraces a slide portion, a fore frame         portion and a trigger guard portion of the handgun;     -   A left-side trigger guard member and a right-side trigger guard         member of the holster body are rigid, substantially non-pliable         elements. According to a particular configuration of the         disclosure, these are integral with the holster body;     -   The arresting latch normally projects into an arresting portion         of the holster corresponding with a retention zone of the         handgun, namely a depression or a void of the handgun used in         conjunction therewith. When at the normally retained position,         the arresting latch projects into the retention zone of the         handgun, preventing drawing of the handgun. However, depressing         the release-lever results in retracting the arresting latch to         withdraw from the retention zone, thus facilitating drawing of         the handgun;     -   The arresting portion of the holster can be a trigger guard         portion of the holster, corresponding with the trigger guard of         a handgun used therewith;     -   The arresting latch is disposed for arresting a front, inner         wall portion of the trigger guard, substantially along a draw         path;     -   A security strap can be provided, extending over the holster         cavity. The security strap can be detachable/removable;     -   The mounting unit of the holster can be configured with a paddle         portion;     -   The paddle portion can be fixed or rotatable between one or more         angular positions;     -   The mounting unit of the holster can be detachably attachable to         the holster;     -   The mounting unit of the holster can be modular and configured         for use in different ways;     -   The holster can be configured with an additional passive         retention mechanism, for increasing retaining security of the         handgun within the holster;     -   The additional passive retention mechanism can be a tightening         mechanism configured for increasing clamping force of portions         of side walls of the holster over a portion of the handgun. Such         a portion is typically but not restrictedly the trigger guard of         the handgun;     -   The additional passive retention mechanism can be an adjustable         fastener configured for adjusting the clamping force applied by         portions of the side walls over respective portions of the         handgun;     -   The rocking release-lever is a pivoting/rocking release push         button;     -   The release-lever can be pivotally articulated to the holster         body between a normally retaining position, and a depressed,         released position, in compliance with corresponding positions of         the arresting latch. The release-lever is normally disposed at         the retaining position owing to a biasing force applied thereto         by the arresting latch;     -   The release-lever can be configured with a hinge axle configured         for pivotally bearing over a partially cradling cushioning         portion configured at the retaining portion of the holster;     -   The release-lever can be configured for snap arresting of the         hinge axle within the cushioning hinge portion configured at the         retaining portion of the holster;     -   The release-lever can be configured for snap arresting within a         depression formed at the retaining portion of the holster;     -   The release-lever can be configured as a biased leverage         mechanism wherein a first end thereof is articulated with the         arresting latch, a mid-portion thereof bears against cushioning         portion of the retaining portion, and a second end is         articulated at a portion of the retaining portion, thereby         restricting pivotal/rocking motion of the release-lever;     -   The release-lever can be detachably attachable with the holster         retaining portion;     -   One of the release-lever and the holster body can comprise an         integral resilient biasing member configured for bearing against         a corresponding bearing surface of the other one of the         release-lever and the holster body, thereby applying a biasing         force normally disposing the release-lever into its retaining         position;     -   The arresting latch can be integral with the release-lever or         integral with the holster body and thus configured for         displacement by the release-lever;     -   The active retention mechanism is devoid of any springs or bolts         and all components thereof are integral with the holster body         and the release-lever;

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a right side perspective view of a holster according to the disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 2 is a front, right side perspective view of a holster of FIG. 1, accommodating therein a handgun;

FIG. 3 is a top-front perspective view of a left-handed holster according to the presently disclosed subject matter, fitted with a mounting paddle;

FIG. 4A is an exploded side perspective view of a left-handed holster according to the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 4B is an exploded side perspective view of the holster of FIG. 4A, however with a release-lever inverted for sake of convince;

FIG. 5 is a sectioned view about plane V in FIG. 1, exposing the inside face of the right wall;

FIG. 6A is a perspective sectioned view, taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5, with the arresting latch at the normally retaining position;

FIG. 6B is the same as FIG. 6A, however with the arresting latch at the released position;

FIG. 7A is a perspective sectioned view, taken along intersections of planes A-B in FIG. 1, with the arresting latch at the normally retaining position;

FIG. 7B is the same as FIG. 7A, however with the arresting latch at the released position;

FIG. 8A is a section taken along plane A in FIG. 1, with the arresting latch at the normally retaining position;

FIG. 8B is the same as FIG. 8A, however with the arresting latch at the released 10 position;

FIGS. 9A to 9C are isometric sections taken about plane C in FIG. 2, illustrating three consecutive steps of realizing the active retention mechanism and drawing the handgun from the holster;

FIG. 10A is a top right side perspective view of another example of a holster, according to the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 10B is a top right side exploded view of the holster of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10C is a section taken about plane D in FIG. 10A, with the arresting latch at the normally retaining position; and

FIG. 10D is the same as FIG. 10C, however with the arresting latch at the released position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Attention is directed to the drawings illustrating a holster generally designated 15, configured for securing a handgun 25 (FIG. 2). The holster 15 is made of a rigid and non-pliable material, e.g. made of molded plastic material.

The holster 15 has a holster body configured with a right side wall 23, a left side wall 26, a top wall 27 and a bottom wall 29, said right side wall 23 and left side wall 26 extending substantially parallel to one another, and all said walls defining together a holster cavity 33, the inside walls of which being configured with a shape at least partially complimentary to the configuration of outer sections of the handgun 25 to be placed in the holster 15.

The holster cavity 33 defines a longitudinal axis X (parallel or coextending with a longitudinal axis of the handgun). In the particular example, the holster has an open front (muzzle) end.

According to the present example, the holster body is configured of a single molded member. However, according to another example (not illustrated) the holster can be assembled of two (or more) shell members fixedly articulated to one another by a plurality of fasteners, to form a holster body with at least essential portions of which being rigid and non-pliable.

The left side wall 26 has a mounting portion 35 extending backwards and configured for attaching thereto a mounting unit 40 (for sake of simplicity shown only in FIG. 3), fixedly attached to the holster body by fasteners 42. A holster mounting paddle 44 extends from the mounting unit 40, for mounting the holster at various positions and configurations. e.g. hip mounting the holster over a top rim of an individual's trousers, skirt and the like, over a belt, a combat vest, or attaching to an ankle of the individual, etc., at a concealed or noticeable fashion. According to a modification of the disclosure (not shown) the paddle is articulated to the mounting unit through an angle setting mechanism, facilitating relative angular orientation between the mounting peddle and the holster body, and fixedly retained at any of a plurality of angular positions, by a setting screw.

The holster cavity 33 of the holster 15 is configured, as far as shape and size, in conformity with at least portions of the handgun 25, such that when the handgun is received within the holster 15 at least a front portion of the handgun's slide and fore frame portion are at least partially embraced by the holster 15.

According to a particular example, the holster 15 is designated for accommodating a particular handgun model 25, so as to ensure adequate fit embracing of the handgun within the holster. However, design can be such that a holster is configured for receiving more than one particular handgun type.

As further noted, the holster 15 is configured with a trigger guard portion generally designated 45 and composed of a right-side trigger guard member 46 and a left left-side trigger guard member 48, each integrally extending from a respective side wall at a rear, bottom portion of the holster body. The right-side trigger guard member 46 and the left left-side trigger guard member 48 are spaced apart from one another by a gap 50, said gap being a wide trigger space at an upper portion thereof so as to snugly accommodate the trigger guard of the handgun, and the gap narrows to practically a narrow gap at a bottom portion thereof. As will be discussed hereinafter, the narrow gap is part of a passive retention mechanism, as will be discussed hereinafter in more detail.

The trigger guard portion 45 is configured with an active retention mechanism generally designated 55 fitted at the right-side trigger guard member 46 (though this is a matter of choice and the holster can be configured with a left-sided active retention mechanism; not shown).

The active retention mechanism 55 comprises an arresting latch 58 (best seen in FIG. 5) integrally extending from the right-side wall 23 through an integral hinge portion 60 imparting the arresting latch 58 some resiliency. The arresting latch 58 is configured with an arresting portion 62 normally disposed at a retaining position, i.e. normally projecting into a trigger guard space 50. The arresting latch 58 is further configured with an opening 64 (best seen in FIGS. 4 to 7) configured for arresting engagement by an externally disposed release-lever 70. For that purpose, the release-lever 70 is configured with a projecting hook member 72 projecting through opening 64 of the arresting latch 58 and articulately arresting the arresting portion 62 thereof.

The release-lever 70 is configured as a pivoting/rocking release push button pivotally articulated to the holster body as will be hereinafter discussed, between a normally retaining position, and a depressed, released position (FIGS. 6B, 7B, 8B, and 9A to 9C), in complaisance with corresponding positions of the arresting latch. The release-lever is normally disposed at the retaining position owing to a biasing force applied thereto by the resiliency of the arresting latch 58.

In the illustrated example, the release-lever 70 is configured with a hinge axle 74 (best seen in FIG. 4B) configured for pivotally bearing over a partially cradling cushioning portion 76 (best seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B), externally configured at the right-side trigger guard member 46. The arrangement is such that the hinge axle 74 of the release-lever 70 is only partially cradled by cushioning portion 76. However, according to a modification (not shown), the arrangement can be such that the hinge axle 74 of the release-lever 70 is configured for snap arresting within the cushioning hinge portion.

The release-lever 70 is configured for snap arresting of laterally projecting winglets 78 (FIGS. 4A and 4B) within respective depressions 80 (FIGS. 4A and 4B) formed at right-side trigger guard member 46.

In order to impart the release-lever 70 a biased leverage mechanism, a first end thereof 84 is articulated with the arresting latch through hook member 72, a mid-portion thereof (hinge axle 74) bears against cushioning portion 76 of the retaining portion, and a second end 88 is articulated at a portion of the retaining portion, thereby restricting pivotal/rocking motion of the release-lever. The end 88 serves as a push-button of the release-lever 70. To prevent slipping of one's pressing finger, the push-button portion 88 is serrated or ribbed, as seen in the illustrations.

According to one example, the release-lever 70 is detachably attachable to the holster retaining portion.

Of particular interest, the active retention mechanism 55 disclosed herein is devoid of any springs or bolts or other components, whereby all components thereof are integral with the holster body and the release-lever.

In use, the arresting portion 62 of arresting latch 58 normally extends into the arresting space, namely trigger guard space 50, whereupon inserting the handgun 25 into the holster space 33 results in spontaneous snapping of the arresting portion 62 into the space of the trigger guard 90, thus preventing drawing the handgun 25.

When it is now required to draw the handgun 25, the release-lever 70 is pivoted by depressing push-button portion 88 in direction of arrow 92 (FIGS. 6B, 7B, 8B and 9A to 9C), resulting in its pivoting about the hinge axle 74, thereby retracting the arresting portion 62 to withdraw from arresting the trigger guard 90, whereby a fast draw can be made.

Once pressure over the push-button portion 88 ceases, the arresting portion 62 and the articulated release-lever 70 spontaneously return to their normal position, owing to the biasing effect of the integral hinge portion 60 of the arresting latch 58.

Reverting now to the passive retention mechanism, this is done by the provision of a tightening mechanism configured for increasing clamping force of right-side trigger guard member 46 and left left-side trigger guard member 48 by narrowing the gap 50. For that purpose, an adjustable screw 96 extends through openings 98 of the right-side trigger guard member 46 and left left-side trigger guard member 48, whereby tightening the screw results in narrowing the gap, thus increasing the clamping force, and vise versa.

Referring now to FIGS. 10A to 10D, there is illustrated another example of a holster according to the present subject matter, generally designated 115. As can be seen in the drawings, the holster 115 comprises a release-lever generally designated 170, configured with an integral arresting latch 158 (FIG. 10B), protruding from an inner side wall 171 of the release lever 170. The release-lever 170 is further configured with an integral resilient biasing member 160, projecting from the inner side wall 171, and acting as a leaf spring.

A push-button portion 188, a hinge axle 174, and laterally projecting winglets 178 of the release-lever 170 are respectively similar to the push-button 88, the hinge axle 74 and the laterally projecting winglets 78 which were described in connection with holster 15 of the previous example.

The holster body of holster 115 is configured with an aperture 163 into a holster space 133 and a bearing surface 161. Both the aperture 163 and the bearing surface 161 are configured on a right side wall 123 of the holster 115 and face the release-lever 170. Depressions 180 and a partially cradling cushioning portion 176 are formed on the holster body, similarly to depressions 80 and a partially cradling cushioning portion 76 of the holster 15.

The arresting latch 158 is normally disposed at a retaining position, i.e. normally projecting into a trigger guard space 150 of the handgun (FIG. 10C). The resilient biasing member 160 is configured for bearing against the corresponding bearing surface 161 of the holster body, thereby applying a biasing force normally disposing the arresting latch 158 into its retaining position, as seen in FIG. 10C (i.e. biased in a clockwise direction when viewed from above). Though not shown, the resilient biasing member 160 can be integral with the holster body, and bear against a corresponding bearing surface 161 on the release-lever 170.

The release-lever 170 is configured for snap arresting of laterally projecting winglets 178 (FIG. 10C) within respective depressions 180 formed on the holster body.

In use, the arresting latch 158 normally extends through the aperture 163 into the arresting space, namely trigger guard space 150, whereupon inserting the handgun 25 into a holster space 133 results in spontaneous snapping of the arresting latch 158 into the trigger guard space 150, thus preventing drawing the handgun 25.

When it is now required to draw the handgun 25, the release-lever 170 is pivoted by depressing the push-button portion 188 in direction of arrow 192 (FIG. 10C), resulting in its pivoting about a hinge axle 174, within the partially cradling cushioning portion 176, in a counter clockwise direction, thereby retracting the arresting latch 158 to withdraw from arresting the trigger guard space 150 (FIG. 10D), whereby a fast draw can be made. 

1-36. (canceled)
 37. A holster for a handgun, the holster comprising: a holster body including a holster cavity configured for securely accommodating and partially embracing portions of the handgun; an active retention mechanism including an arresting latch configured with an arresting portion normally disposed at a retaining position; and a release-lever externally disposed and articulated with the arresting latch, the release-lever configured for displacing the arresting latch between the retaining position in which the arresting latch projects laterally inwards from an inside surface of the holster cavity and a released position in which the arresting latch is retracted.
 38. The holster according to claim 37, wherein the holster cavity of the holster body is configured with at least inner shape portions complimentary to a configuration of outer sections of the handgun to be placed in the holster.
 39. The holster according to claim 37, wherein the holster body includes a left-side trigger guard member and a right-side trigger guard member that are integral with the holster body.
 40. The holster according to claim 37, wherein the holster body is made of a substantially rigid and non-pliable material; or at least the active retention mechanism is configured, at a retaining portion of the holster, as substantially rigid and non-pliable.
 41. The holster according to claim 37, wherein the arresting latch projects into an arresting portion of the holster corresponding with a retention zone of the handgun.
 42. The holster according to claim 37, wherein, when at the retaining position, the arresting latch projects into the retention zone of the handgun, preventing drawing of the handgun.
 43. The holster according to claim 37, wherein depressing the release-lever results in retracting the arresting latch to withdraw from the retention zone, thus facilitating drawing of the handgun.
 44. The holster according to claim 37, wherein the arresting portion is a trigger guard portion of the holster, corresponding with the trigger guard of the handgun used therewith.
 45. The holster according to claim 37, wherein the arresting latch is disposed for arresting a front, inner wall portion of a trigger guard, substantially along a draw path.
 46. The holster according to claim 37, further comprising an additional passive retention mechanism configured for increasing retaining security of the handgun within the holster.
 47. The holster according to claim 37, wherein the release-lever is pivotally articulated to the holster body between a normally retaining position and a depressed, released position, in compliance with corresponding positions of the arresting latch.
 48. The holster according to claim 37, wherein the release-lever is pivotally articulated to the holster body and configured with a hinge axle for pivotally bearing over a partially cradling cushioning portion configured at a retaining portion of the holster.
 49. The holster according to claim 48, wherein the release-lever is configured for snap arresting of the hinge axle within the partially cradling cushioning hinge portion configured at a retaining portion of the holster.
 50. The holster according to claim 37, wherein the release-lever is configured for snap arresting within a depression formed at the retaining portion of the holster.
 51. The holster according to claim 37, wherein the release-lever is pivotally articulated to the holster body, the release-lever configured as a biased leverage mechanism including a first end articulated with the arresting latch, a mid-portion that bears against a cushioning portion of a retaining portion, and a second end articulated at a portion of the retaining portion thereby restricting pivotal/rocking motion of the release-lever.
 52. The holster according to claim 37, wherein the release-lever is pivotally articulated to the holster body, the release-lever detachably attachable with a holster retaining portion.
 53. The holster according to claim 37, wherein the active retention mechanism is devoid of any springs or bolts and all components thereof are integral with the holster body and the release-lever.
 54. The holster according to claim 37, wherein one of the release-lever or the holster body includes an integral resilient biasing member configured for bearing against a corresponding bearing surface on the other one of the release-lever or the holster body, for applying a biasing force normally disposing the arresting latch in the retaining position.
 55. The holster according to claim 37, wherein the arresting latch is integral with the release-lever.
 56. The holster according to claim 37, wherein the arresting latch is part of the holster body and is articulated with the release-lever and configured for displacement by deformation by the release-lever. 